The Hindu : National : Canberra sets terms for uranium sale

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Friday, Aug 17, 2007
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Canberra sets terms for uranium sale

P.S. Suryanarayana

SINGAPORE: Australian Prime Minister John Howard on Thursday announced a firm decision to “allow the export of uranium to India, subject to strict conditions.”

Mr. Howard said in a media release in Canberra that the decision also “recognises” New Delhi’s “strong non-proliferation record.”

Addressing domestic criticism, Mr. Howard outlined conditions that India will have to navigate.

They are:

(1) Conclusion of a suitable safeguards agreement between India and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), covering all designated civil nuclear facilities; (2) Conclusion by India of an Additional [IAEA] Protocol on strengthened safeguards; (3) Satisfactory progress in implementing India’s commitment to place designated civil nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards in perpetuity; (4) A consensus decision by the Nuclear Suppliers Group to make an exception to its guidelines enabling international civil supply to India; (5) Conclusion of a bilateral civil nuclear cooperation agreement between India and the United States; and (6) Conclusion of a bilateral Australia-India safeguards agreement.

Mr. Howard said the canvas of a Canberra-New Delhi accord should cover “assurances that Australian uranium would remain in peaceful uses at all times.” And, these “assurances” must be “supported by satisfactory verification arrangements to ensure that no Australian nuclear materials supplied to India would contribute to any military purpose.”

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